Dr. Steve H. Jones (1944-2023)
Apr 5, 2023
Dr. Steve H. Jones arrived at Murray State University in 1977 as one of the campus’s original seven black faculty members. In 2002, he became the first black department Chair of MSU’s Department of Social Work, Criminal Justice and Gerontology. Dr. Jones served as a mentor to many students, faculty and staff during his tenure at Murray State University. He received the African American Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and was named distinguished professor in 2012.
As an Emeritus Associate Professor of Gerontology at Murray State University and former Chair of the Department of Social Work, Criminal Justice and Gerontology, Jones had a wealth of knowledge and used it to apply an informed pedagogical approach to teaching that was both engaging and intellectually stimulating for students.
Jones spent most of his academic tenure in the classroom where he fostered student learning by encouraging them to question and challenge their ideologies, and provided them with sound principles of theories and research. Through the process of inquiry, Jones sought to expand student learning to aid in galvanizing student interest and help them ponder future research interests while boosting transformative thought.
During his tenure at Murray State University, Jones earned the respect and trust of colleagues both in his department and campus-wide. He had excellent analytical skills and a unique ability to foster and facilitate conversations so as to serve as a guide for students. Moreover, Jones was an effectual speaker and writer with an excellent command of articulation and oral expression.
As a life-long educator and advocate for learning, Jones was a vital resource for faculty, staff and students at Murray State. His knowledge was vast, his passion for teaching and learning was palpable, and his dedication to students was admirable. Jones possessed the essential capabilities needed to be a competent and efficacious instructor,
Jones taught many courses at Murray State, most notably a course called “The Black Experience” and had the Dr. Steve Jones Mini-Lecture Series named in his honor by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in 2012. The Dr. Steve Jones Mini-Lecture Series was an initiative from the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The goal was to continue and expand programming efforts designed to provide access to academic and cultural support services, and mentoring support to multicultural students.
He was the advisor to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Alpha Beta Chapter at Murray State and assisted in the formation of the Omega Psi Phi Graduate Chapter in Paducah, Kentucky. Jones exemplified what hard work, persistence and perseverance can do to add to one’s life accomplishments.
He retired after 35 years of service in 2012, and passed away on March 24, 2023.
Links to Dr. Jones' obituary and interviews are below:
https://www.wkms.org/education/2012-02-24/the-black-experience-an-interview-with-dr-steve-jones
http://thenews.org/2015/09/25/retired-professors-to-discuss-desegregation/